Comparative Neurotoxic Effect of Aspartame and Stevia Sweeteners on Rat Cerebellar Cortex and the Possible Protective Role of Omega-3: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Mohamed, Aml; ELtahry, Huda Mohamed; Shams, Amany; Abd El-kader, Marwa

doi:10.21608/zumj.2021.100454.2376

Comparative Neurotoxic Effect of Aspartame and Stevia Sweeteners on Rat Cerebellar Cortex and the Possible Protective Role of Omega-3: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of anatomy and embryology, Faculty of medicine Mansoura university, Mansoura, Egypt

² El-Mansoura university , faculty of Medicine

³ Department of anatomy and embryology, Faculty of medicine, Mansoura university, Mansoura, Egypt.

10.21608/zumj.2021.100454.2376

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Over the last two decades, the market for sweeteners exploded. Aspartame
is one of the commonest artificial sweeteners considered as a risky compound. On the other
hand, stevioside is a sugary plant that seemed as a hopeful natural alternative to synthetic
sweeteners.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the histopathological changes in the cerebellar cortex of adult rats following eight weeks of aspartame or stevioside administration,
and to evaluate the protective effect of omega-3 against induced cerebellar injury.
Material and Methods: Thirty rats were used and divided into five groups: Group < br>I:the control group, Group II: rats received aspartame (250 mgkgday), Group III:
rats received stevia (250 mgkgday), Group IV: rats received omega-3 (100 mg/kg/day)
followed by aspartame (250 mgkgday), Group V: rats received omega-3 (100 mg/kg/day)
followed by stevia (250 mgkgday). All medications were given by gavage for 8 weeks. Cresyl
violet staining and immunohistochemistry staining for COX-2 were performed on cerebellar
cortex specimens.
Results: Both aspartame and stevioside-treated groups showed degenerative alterations in the
cerebellar cortex but aspartame had more harmful effects than stevia. A considerable rise in
COX-2 positive cells verified this. Omega-3 supplementation with aspartame and stevia
reduced degenerative and inflammatory consequences, with stevia having a stronger effect than aspartame. A considerable decrease in COX-2 positive cells corroborated this.
Conclusion: Stevioside was less harmful on the cerebellar cortex than aspartame.
Omega-3 could greatly decreased the harmful effects of stevia. However, its effects
on the adverse effects of aspartame were less potent.

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